Pay increases for farm workers

The
Agricultural Wages Board has backed new pay rates for the sector.

The
board said the abolishment of the casual worker rate and a basic pay rise of 3
per cent to £4.91 is a step in the right direction.

Employer
representatives resigned from the board, made-up of unions and individual
participants, before the pay decision was made. Instead, they issued an
alternative set of proposals that were rejected by the board, who felt they
were worse than the agreed terms.

The
T&G union said the employers’ decision was disappointing.

Peter
Allenson, T&G national secretary for agriculture, said: "A solid case
for better pay was put to the board, and we believe it made the right decision
for the farming industry. Farm workers deserve better pay and these new rates
will go some way toward that.

"It
is deplorable that the employers have chosen to walk away from the board.
Negotiations are beneficial to all parties and the farmers cannot participate
on their terms only."

By
Paul Nelson

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